jigokulogs | August 2022 Event

August 2022 Event

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Toraguma and Tenkohime were not exaggerating when they said that Sai no Kawara was bound to attract extraordinarily deep pockets. The Celestials are already familiar to the Lost Souls, but among the crowds of customers are humans and yokai of wealth that can only be calculated in the billions, and even trillions. Powerful executives have come out to play, the sort of power brokers that almost exist beyond faction politics, the tier who makes the most money out of the city's dealings.

The event has an air of class that is far beyond what the average Lost Soul will have ever imagined…

1. GAMBLING PROBLEM (1 POINT)

The main event comes in the form of the games. This is where the Shuten Clan shines, as they offer up a plethora of gambling opportunities for the rich and powerful to partake in. There might be a Lost Soul or two at the tables, if they're feeling particularly lucky. Buy-in to a game isn't cheap, but if you're low on cash, you can substitute a handful of stellar Stardust to the pot.

Western games like Poker, Blackjack, and Roulette share space with Eastern standards like Cee-lo and Cho-han. Shuten Clan dealers have been training hard for this moment. They have learned to cheat on behalf of the House to scrape as much from these high rollers as they can. Those Shuten attendants who win big for the House will be duly compensated for their fine efforts.

If you're very clever, or very lucky, you might just be able to secure quite a payout for yourself as a player too. Just don't get caught pulling any funny business. The Shuten Clan bouncers have also been training quite thoroughly for this event. If you're not one of the fabulously wealthy tycoons, the bouncers have little incentive to play nice with you.

Should fighting break out, there is an arena onsite. Bets are flying there, too. Are you willing to wager your own pretty face?

2. PLEASURE PALACE (1 POINT)

Tenkohime wasn't exaggerating when she called her turf in the newly renovated underground a palace. The attendants at the Palace of Sai greet their wealthy clientele warmly, and they have a host of wondrous and rare delights to offer. As a rare treat, the Lost Souls are encouraged to indulge in this decadence. If the prices make you choke, remember that a little bit of Stardust will go a long way this season.

Food and drinks are of the highest quality. Delicacies from across Japan and the world abroad have been prepared, including many dishes not even of the Earth as you might know it. Particular favorites from the drinks menu are:
Side Cars that have been made with cognac from a 300,000 yen bottle.
Platinum Passions that have been made with L’esprit de Courvoisier; 800,000 yen per bottle.
Eightfold Blessing is a captivating and aromatic mix considered to be Tenkohime's very own specialty. It grants the vigor to fulfill any desire; 1,000,000 yen a glass.
The pricey and fabulous drinks are just an encouragement. The Tamamo's best trained consorts are ready to offer their private services, usually in pairs. They have some Tanabata wishes of their own, and want to make them come true through their talents and skills. Not every encounter is sexual, some consorts simply wish to spend time with their clients and make them feel like the most important person in the world today. With the big price tags on their hours, the customer might very well be.

In addition to expensive meals, sex, and company, the Tamamo Clan also offers theater and performances. They have contracted with the highest caliber performers in the city, even those on loan from other factions. Dancers, musicians, and entertainers of all varieties are waiting in the wings to put on a show.

3. GOSSIP (1 POINT)

One of the performances gracing the stage in the Palace of Sai may seem familiar! The band Moonday played at the food truck festival last month. As it turns out, the lead singer -- a wolf girl named Ringo-chan -- is the daughter of one of the wealthiest executives within the Alliance's network of finance kings; Kaberou. She's run away from her restrictive life to rough it with her band. Big money is riding on convincing her to come home. There's another rumor floating around that the pirates attacking the supply lines have been putting pressure on Kaberou. Is he securing buyers for these pirated goods?

Rumors are flying: the kind of rumors that can bring riches or ruin. The Daitengu has commanded their people to keep their ears open. Do they happen upon a juicy lead? Do they find a way to reconnect Kaberou with his estranged daughter? Do they discover more about the pirates? Do tell, do tell!

Even the staff of the Enma Department will find lips much looser than usual around them. When you're this rich, you think you're above the standards of the law. There's plenty of conversation that might be of interest to the Department. In particular, one name does keep coming up...

It comes up when discussing Kaberou's dealings with these pirates, and how much of a wrench his daughter's negligence to the life has been for his business. It's spoken of in hushed tones, even by the Celestials. It is an ominous name: "Iron Bear"

4. TANABATA (2 POINTS)

The grand opening of the underground is the centerpiece of an otherwise familiar Tanabata celebration. Using the accumulated Stardust, the Tamamo Clan's onmyouji have collaborated with Kappa engineers and the Shuten Clan's resident blacksmith to create a truly wonderful spectacle for the festival.

Despite Sai no Kawara existing underground, the overhead sky is full of brilliant stars on display. It is a one-to-one recreation of the cosmic tapestry of the Milky Way streaking through the sky like the astral river from the Tanabata legend.

The stars Vega and Altair, also known as Orihime and Hikoboshi, are highlighted in the tapestry. They take form and dance together above everyone, they encourage the feelings of love to fill the air. Romantic love, platonic love, familial love: it doesn't matter. This is the product of peace, hard work, and cooperation. This is the dream of the Daitengu and their lieutenants. Dance to the music. Drink your fill. This is a celebration of love, and there's so much love here, for everyone.

Attendees are encouraged to write their wishes on the colorful talismans distributed. Bamboo trees decorate the central square, waiting to be draped with wishes. Even if you are not familiar with Tanabata, it will be easy to pick up on the ritual. The magic in the air tonight is incredibly strong, these wishes might even come true.

5. "WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE" (2 POINTS)

Late into the evening, the Daitengu takes to the stage. They welcome everyone and hope that they have had a good night. Toraguma and Tenkohime flank them, and each says a few words to the crowd. Then, Sutoku lieutenant Sakamoto is called up to the stage for the moment of truth.

Toraguma, regretfully, announces that Sakamoto has made good on his promises. The holes in their supply lines have been uncovered found, the black market is becoming less of a bleed on their finances, and the road to finding out who -- or what -- is causing the disruption is becoming clearer. The great oni will always honor a promise kept, and reaches out his hand to shake Sakamoto's in a gesture of gratitude.

The timing, as usual, is a little dramatic.

A group of shadowy figures wearing rough-spun gear storm the stage. Several of them snatch Ringo-chan from where she is waiting to perform and drag her away. Another lunges at Sakamoto with a make-shift sword of crude metal. Just before the blade can cut Sakamoto, the would-be assassin is stopped by Toraguma. With their wrist snatched and broken, the assassin screams out:

"We come on behalf of the Iron Bear, and we know who you are!"

In his rage and fury, Toraguma breaks the assassin's neck, slamming him down to the stage. He dies within moments, while the rest of the attackers flee. They've kidnapped Ringo-chan.

Sai no Kawara is quickly flooded with armed and armored officers of the Enma Department. They instruct everyone to remain calm. No one panic. The Enma himself has arrived, and he is going to start questioning everyone about what just happened. Who is the Iron Bear? What in hell do they want? It's time for some answers.

Well… As far as parties in Jigoku-cho go… this one could have been worse, yeah?

Welcome to the August event!

Art in the final prompt by Yang Tuo
If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
Each prompt is labeled for it's value in terms of qualifying threads for Rewards.
If your character is in the Shuten Clan and cheating on behalf of the house, find out how well they pulled it off by posting here! Those that do well will get a special bonus from Toraguma.
If your character is trying any of the games of chance, find out how they paid out here!
If your character put on a performance at the Palace of Sai's stage, find out how the crowd reacted here! Regardless of clan affiliation, those that do well will be rewarded by Tenkohime!
For results on the gossip floating around the festival, post here!
For Department members, if your character is going to interrogate NPC festival goers, let us know here and we can post some more specific results!
TANABATA WISHES! POST THEM HERE!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

"You mean like a mastermind of sorts? Someone or a group capable of commanding, planning and manipulating?"

Another thing she had experience with. And usually, as Haru had come to learn, there was usually a perceived mastermind, only for it then to be revealed that there was a mastermind behind the mastermind. Which was something she dearly hoped was not the case here.

"So do you believe... this is also a piece of something? That this isn't the end goal?"

It would make sense. Haru hadn't been here long enough to witness much, but this seemed more like a means than an end.

[ There is one further moment of hesitation here, but it dissipates quickly. He'd rather see Aerith enjoy herself than continue spending the night brooding on his various mistakes - he'll have enough time to do that later on.

So Barok bows a little, an almost playful imitation of the formality that was once drilled into him for such occasions. ]

Very well, miss. [ He offers her a hand to lead her to the dance floor before assuming position. ] Follow my lead - first you take a step back...

[ And here goes an explanation of a basic waltz because it's the easiest social dance to teach. ]

You could wish for peace!

[ hello, this is shinobu's wish conceptualizer. of course robin's been mingling around the bamboo trees, keeping an ear open as he walks around and listens to others with the same concerns. some have no idea what to wish for. some wonder if they need to wish for more than one thing. others are trying to look at other wishes and try to figure out what they could steal idea-wise. ]

Or cake. Or tea. I don't know, there's a lot to wish for... it doesn't have to be that serious, you know?

"Oh right, that's what they're called." So, Haru definitely had more familiarity with these things than Tenshi did. She did not know the 'for every Zemus, there is a Zeramis' rule of life when it came to masterminds. Just the word. She nodded quickly and looked upwards, thinking about that for a second.

"I don't know for sure, but the little I know is Enma announced that those dolls were because of Haniyasu. Thing is, Haniyasu no kami's a thing where I come from, though I've never met them. God of earth. Powerful, old kami. And if they're involved, and if they mean half the shit in this? Maybe there's two guys out there stirring up trouble, or there's just one big one in the background." she shrugged. "I mean, it's way before my time, but Susanoo certainly stirred up a lot of trouble in his day. Maybe this is just the beginning, and there's someone big moving things."

She grunted. "I just know when you start getting big kami mixed up in things, the game changes."

Peace?

[It's not so much the shock of light pink hair that surprises her but rather the honesty in those eyes. It makes her pause and glance at her blank wish, considering the idea before giving the man a helpless smile.] What a grand wish.

I suppose you have a point. But if the gods really will read these wishes after they're burned then I'd hate to let them think I only care about tea and cake... hehe.

[She's teasing a little.] But maybe I should take your advice. After all... who is to say peace is truly possible in this place?

"Dolls...? Does this have anything to do with there being curses and it raining blood?" Aerith had gone into a little more detail about it and, quite frankly, it had sounded more like hell than what had Haru had experienced here so far. She was still learning about everything that had transpired, too concerned about perceived rudeness (for now) to bother any one person too much for details.

"I... would have to agree with you, of course. I think getting any kind of god involvement is going to be a problem." And it was what her contract was based on. One god interfering was bad enough. Then another had gotten involved and Haru could have been happy with gods deciding to leave humanity alone forever. If that really was the case here...

So much for hoping otherwise.

"So... Haniyasu's a god of the earth, Amatarasu's child. It' kind of tied in with the creation myth back home, and the youkai here are a lot like back home but not quite." She shrugged. "Since they had sway over clay and pottery? Maybe related. Enma announced it was them behind it at least. Not sure I completely trust them, but no reason to doubt this." For now it was just a name after all, and she hadn't done more than hear the name bandied about after the announcement.

"Youkai getting ticked off and causing a ruckus is something any fool with enough power can clean up. When gods get involved, dumb things like Moons disappearing happen." Look, that was a thing that happened. The rabbits on the moon were crazy, alright?

[ king she just ignored you for two weeks. she would've done the same after the last time they'd drunk out together too, but she... didn't. and it's not just because they had to work together on this one. it's been really complicated, but she's not about to let that aspect of her life interfere with what's important right now.

eula blinks at the gesture barton's making, and she picked up a tissue to wipe at the bit of cream from the corner of her mouth. why did he even let her talk so seriously with that?! why, she oughta--

no... no. focus. she clears her throat. ]

Thank you. [ AHEM. ] Now, with that settled -- do you have any other inquiries?

[ she's very reluctant to go back down there, can you tell ]

Edited 2022-08-24 22:27 (UTC)

[ Less fine tastes and more the peer pressure of high society, but van Zieks will take the compliment. ]

Considering the sheer luxury of this venue, one would hope that it is mostly the clothed variety.

[ Not to be a prude but... he's a prude. Please do not take off any clothes on stage. Even having gotten used to this town for a good while, he maintains this opinion firmly. ]

I have heard a colleague from the department will perform a traditional dance native to this region. I am mildly curious about that, at the least.

[Fumikage lets out a small, amused huff.]

And yet it is something that others may overlook. That is why our training was to find where our strengths lie, and augment them, no matter what our Quirks are.

[Mimicking a frog may not sound useful, but Tsuyu's abilities have come in handy more times than not, from sticking to walls, to swimming ability, to storing items in her stomach. It was a unique oddness that people misunderstood, and Tsuyu had found ways to take advantage of that.]

You seem to understand such ideas well. Was combat expected of a princess where you are from?

"I... see."

It was more pensive than dubious. Haru had no real reason to doubt that maybe moons could disappear quite easily if gods got involved. It was a fitting metaphor. But more concerning was that Tenshi spoke of it as if it had actually happened?

"Has that... happened before? The moon vanishing?"

Wasn't that a problem for gravity and oceans and the like??

[It is absolutely not broken, Lalli is just being a butt. He is frowning still as Rengoku comes closer to look things over, partially due to frustration over not being able to do calligraphy right and partially over people seeing that he can't do calligraphy right. In his mind it would be a lot better if everyone just used pencils and pens.]

Assist how?

[He's not saying no, but he's wondering how Rengoku is going to help here.]

Cat youkai. Though you can read a cat's body language and understand them if you try hard enough, actual cats can't talk.

[Might as well clarify that.

He does frown slightly at the mention of seagulls though. Not because they're bad, but because now he's thinking about a seagull-obsessed mage he met ages ago.]

[ wowie. despite his challenging pressing for it, nero's easy slip into flirtation catches barton off guard. but it's only for just a brief moment that he looks surprised before he's likewise playing along. ]

Have I?

[ not to be outdone, barton's hand shifts subtly (or not) to rest atop nero's knee. he drums his fingers against it. ]

Hah.. Then maybe there's some way I could make it up to you.

... I would hope so! But if you said it was awful, maybe I could get a refund.

[ something tells him they likely wouldn't accept an opened bottle as a return though, no matter someone's refined tastes. again, hopes and whatnot. swirling the contents of his glass, barton huffs a laugh at the question. ]

Nah. Don't think I would be so keen on sharing if I were. [ an eyebrow lifts, and reflecting on how this man had affirmed the quality of the drink's taste: ] Are you?

[He's a quick study, and it's not like Jigoku is the first time he's flirted with somebody. It's easier with somebody like Barton anyway.

The glass gets put to the side after a moment's hesitation, as he shifts closer into Barton's side.]

Oh? What are you thinkin'? Gonna give me more of your time?

Hmm? Ah, yes. That anxious one there. [Matoba glances across the floor of the casino; the wolf's entourage were gathered some ways away, but anytime Matoba had caught a glance of the okami, he had been shrouded in rumor and whispers.] ...Quite some nasty things being said, aren't there? I suppose given the trouble Kaberou-shi seems to have stirred up, I cannot blame him for worrying for her safety, away from his guards.

But that is the foolish misstep of one who has made enemies. [His smile quivers.] To have such easy targets available.

[Glancing back, he listens as Shylock describes their gods. It wasn't a surprise that they had similar temperaments, the gods and wizards who seemingly served them, and he quietly counts himself glad that he hasn't met any of Shylock's regional spirits. The wizards of the west were a handful enough.]

I see. The kami also take note of such things as clothing and acts. Many find it disrespectful to be breathed upon by humans, for example, and so we wear masks and other coverings when in attendance to them. [You know, like. paper bags.] I suppose they must be even more long-lived than you... Have you found them to be more of a help or a hindrance, over your long time?

[ barton looks irritated. maybe less by shin's admission (even if that's annoying, too), more the idea that everything just sounds like a mess. "attended" doesn't even necessitate completion of a middle school program. ]

Is that it? You just migrate to Japan, they don't require anything more from you?

"That was kind of a trick. They made an illusion to hide the moon, and there was sort of a fake, to hide the real moon." She rolled her eyes profoundly. "Lunarians can be really weird sometimes. I never understood it all that well. I suppose they could actually try to move the moon one day."

Yep. Well, it wasn't gone, gone, but close.

I ran away to Japan. There's plenty of reason I didn't go to school, don't give me that face.

(work. money. knowing the language. the enormous waste of time it would have been to open a book and understand absolutely nothing.)

[Seated in a lazy half-lean against the table, Matoba's eye idly draws down to the flipped card.] Check.

[Let the house's hand decide the round. His eye draws back up to Kawase and his cold anger. Despite his expression not changing, he seems amused by it.] It's a shame, isn't it? [Both of those things.] I didn't actually think that he would be successful, but then, he insisted upon it. I let him do as he pleased, since there isn't really anything that can be done about what happened.

Either by myself, or either of you.

[He is not referring to Tama, in that equation.]

[The other youkai betting at the table look between Matoba and their dealer as they await the reveal of hands, as if wondering if this prior acquaintance would have any effect on the betting. Two humans, and two youkai... the one remaining youkai checks.]

[ barton makes a noise of acknowledgement. he can tell, yes; he may be biased because he likewise doesn't wish to return so soon. it's almost pleasant out here in contrast. ugh. he tosses his corn dog skewer into a nearby trashcan. ]

No. Maybe I will later.

[ he has to take some time to think on all of that information, as well as reflect on everything that happened... in the meanwhile, considering how to delay the inevitability of returning to the underground and continuing to perpetuate the department's uselessness, ]

You couldn't drive because of your outfit, right? We should find you something to wear with it.

I can't believe Japan is so lackadaisical...

[ --he can, it's not the first time he's heard of situations like this, he's just being dramatic. ]

[ barton lifts an eyebrow and takes another sip of his drink, eyeing shin of the rim of his glass. he's not sure if he wants to try to delve into this can of worms, or if he'll be indulged, but he may as well ask. ]

Why'd you desert?

[ that question took her aback for a bit. ]

Hm? Oh, yes. I couldn't run efficiently, either. I was thinking of making a short stopover at my apartment and change...

[ then a wry smile as she looks down on her yukata. it's nice, starry -- reminds her of her designated constellation back home, actually. and yet.]

Wearing this was just a waste of time, wasn't it. Even though I already expected that something like that was going to happen. [ it's tradition, at this point. ]

That's right. [Matoba's smile gleams dangerously. He wonders what sorts of disasters Lalli has seen, from those inviting the wrong kind of interest.] Living things are creatures of benefit. Survival drives us all, and wishes are desires born of desperation.

Naturally, if one can capitalize, then it is only prudent to do so. It would be a wasted opportunity not to.

[It was such a bloodless sentiment, practical.]

...That isn't to say that all such arrangements are one-sided. If a wish is being made by one with power, then that is also something which can be considered a benefit that can be offered up as leverage to the ayakashi that desires it. Such power is that which the old gods subsist on. Without it, they are nothing, just as humans are nothing without relying on others- on each other, or on the power given to them in exchange for their faith.

Then again, credit where credit is due- I suppose it isn't only humans relying on each other. The Sutoku Alliance seems to do quite well by operating on that ideal, as well. [Taking a step closer so that he could lower his voice, Matoba crosses his arms to stand idly in Lalli's space.] But I am curious; within the Department, have you heard any whispers of just what that twisted god Haniyasu-no-kami wanted with the Enma?

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August 2022 Event

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